Metabolism of (+)- and (-)-menthols by CYP2A6 in human liver microsomes

The in vitro metabolism of (+)-(1S,3S,4R) and (-)-(1R,3R,4S)-menthol enantiomers was examined by incubation with human liver microsomes, and the oxidative metabolites thus formed were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The (+)- and (-)-menthols were found to be oxidized to the respective (+)-(1S,3S,4S)- and (-)-(1R,3R,4R)-trans-p-menthane-3,8-diol derivatives by human liver microsomal P450 enzymes. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6 was determined to be the major enzyme involved in the hydroxylation of (+)- and (-)-menthols by human liver microsomes on the basis of the following lines of evidence. First, of 11 recombinant human P450 enzymes tested, CYP2A6 catalyzed the oxidation of (+)- and (-)-menthols. Second, oxidation of (+)- and (-)-menthols was inhibited by (+)-menthofuran and anti-CYP2A6 antibody. Finally, (+)- and (-)-menthol activities were found to correlate with contents of CYP2A6 in liver microsomes of 9 human samples.     

Biotransformation of (-)-camphor by Salmonella typhimurium OY1002/2A6 expressing human CYP2A6 and NADPH-P450 reductase

In a previous in vitro study, (-)-camphor (1) was examined by incubation with human liver microsomes, and the oxidative metabolites thus formed were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. However, thus far, no large-scale biotransformation using recombinant human P450 has been performed. Here, the biotransformation of compound 1 has been investigated by using Salmonella typhimurium OY1002/2A6 expressing human CYP2A6 and human NADPH-P450 reductase as a biocatalyst. Compound 1 (400 mg) was converted to (1S,5S)-(-)-5-exo-hydroxycamphor (2) (30.4 mg) and (1S,7S)-(-)-8-hydroxycamphor (3) (2.4 mg) by S. typhimurium OY1002/2A6. This is the first report to show that large quantities of metabolites 2 and 3 can be produced by S. typhimurium OY1002/2A6 expressing human CYP2A6 and NADPH-P450 reductase.     

Recombinant production of human microsomal cytochrome P450 2D6 in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

Microsomal cytochrome P450 monooxygenases of groups 1-3 are mainly expressed in the liver and play a crucial role in phase 1 reactions of xenobiotic metabolism. The cDNAs encoding human CYP2D6 and human NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase (CPR) were transformed into the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris and expressed with control of the methanol-inducible AOX1 promoter. The determined molecular weights of the recombinant CYP2D6 and CPR closely matched the calculated values of 55.8 and 76.6 kDa. CPR activity was detected by conversion of cytochrome c by using isolated microsomes. Nearly all of the recombinant CYP was composed of the active holoenzyme, as confirmed by reduced CO difference spectra, which showed a single peak at 450 nm. Only by coexpression of human CPR and CYP was CYP2D6 activity obtained. Microsomes containing human CPR and CYP2D6 converted different substrates, such as 3-cyano-7-ethoxycoumarin, parathion and dextrometorphan. The kinetic parameters of dextrometorphan conversion closely matched those of CYP2D6 from other recombinant expression systems and human microsomes. The endogenous NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase of Pichia pastoris seems to be incompatible with human CYP2D6, as expression of CYP2D6 without human CPR did not result in any CYP activity. These recombinant strains provide a novel, easy-to-handle and cheap source for the biochemical characterisation of single microsomal cytochromes, as well as their allelic variants.     

Species-Dependent Metabolism of Benzo[c]Chrysene Mediated by c-DNA-Expressed Human,Rodent and Fish Cytochrome P450 Enzymes

The metabolism of benzo[c]chrysene (B[c]Ch) with various cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes including rat 1A1, 1A2, 2B1 and 2E1, human 1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 1B1, 3A4 and 2E1, mouse 1B1, and scup fish 1A1 expressed in Chinese hamster V79 cells has been investigated to clarify the role of individual enzymes in the regioselective oxidation of B[c]Ch and the species dependency. In six cell lines expressing individual CYP enzymes from four different species B[c]Ch was metabolized to several isomeric phenols and trans?dihydrodiols. However, cell lines expressing human 3A4, 2A6 and 2E1 or rat 1A2, 2B1 and 2E1 were metabolically in-competent towards B[c]Ch. Among the trans?dihydrodiols the 9,10-isomer could be detected in cells expressing human, rat and fish CYP 1A1 and to a minor extent in cells with human 1A2, but not in cells expressing human and mouse CYP 1B1. The latter two cell lines produced high amounts of the bay region 3,4-dihydrodiol, whereas the K-region 7,8-dihydrodiol was a minor metabolite. Oxidation of B[c]Ch to the 1,2-dihydrodiol could not be catalyzed by any of the CYP enzymes investigated except fish 1A1. Our results suggest that metabolic activation of B[c]Ch is initiated predominantly by CYP 1A1 to result selectively in the formation of fjord region 9,10-dihydrodiol 11,12-epoxides regardless of the species involved. The activation of B[c]Ch appears to be limited by a low regioselectivity for the 9,10-oxidation.     

In Silico Prediction of the Metabolic Resistance of Vitamin D Analogs against CYP3A4 Metabolizing Enzyme

The microsomal cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and mitochondrial cytochrome P450 24A1 (CYP24A1) hydroxylating enzymes both metabolize vitamin D and its analogs. The three-dimensional (3D) structure of the full-length native human CYP3A4 has been solved, but the respective structure of the main vitamin D hydroxylating CYP24A1 enzyme is unknown. The structures of recombinant CYP24A1 enzymes have been solved; however, from studies of the vitamin D receptor, the use of a truncated protein for docking studies of ligands led to incorrect results. As the structure of the native CYP3A4 protein is known, we performed rigid docking supported by molecular dynamic simulation using CYP3A4 to predict the metabolic conversion of analogs of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 (1,25D2). This is highly important to the design of novel vitamin D-based drug candidates of reasonable metabolic stability as CYP3A4 metabolizes ca. 50% of the drug substances. The use of the 3D structure data of human CYP3A4 has allowed us to explain the substantial differences in the metabolic conversion of the side-chain geometric analogs of 1,25D2. The calculated free enthalpy of the binding of an analog of 1,25D2 to CYP3A4 agreed with the experimentally observed conversion of the analog by CYP24A1. The metabolic conversion of an analog of 1,25D2 to the main vitamin D hydroxylating enzyme CYP24A1, of unknown 3D structure, can be explained by the binding strength of the analog to the known 3D structure of the CYP3A4 enzyme.     

A medicinal-chemistry-guided approach to selective and druglike sigma 1 ligands

Based on a medicinal-chemistry-guided approach, three novel series of druglike cycloalkyl-annelated pyrazoles were synthesized and display high affinity (pKi>8) for the sigma1 receptor. Structure-affinity relationships were established, and the different scaffolds were optimized with respect to sigma1 binding and selectivity versus the sigma2 receptor and the hERG channel, resulting in selective compounds that have Ki values (for sigma1) in the subnanomolar range. Selected compounds were screened for cytochrome P450 inhibition (CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4), metabolic stability (rat and human liver microsomes), and cell-membrane permeability (Caco-2). They showed favorable in vitro ADME properties as well as favorable calculated druglike and experimental physicochemical properties. Furthermore, compounds 7 f and 17 a, for example, displayed high selectivity (affinity) for the sigma1 receptor against a wide range of other receptors (>60). With these valuable tool compounds in hand, we are further exploring the role of the sigma1 receptor in relevant animal models corresponding to such medicinal indications as drug abuse, pain, depression, anxiety, and psychosis.     

Effects of Ospemifene on Drug Metabolism Mediated by Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in Humans in Vitro and in Vivo

The objective of these investigations was to determine the possible effects of the novel selective estrogen receptor modulator, ospemifene, on cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated drug metabolism. Ospemifene underwent testing for possible effects on CYP enzyme activity in human liver microsomes and in isolated human hepatocytes. Based on the results obtained in vitro, three Phase 1 crossover pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in healthy postmenopausal women to assess the in vivo effects of ospemifene on CYP-mediated drug metabolism. Ospemifene and its main metabolites 4-hydroxyospemifene and 4′-hydroxyospemifene weakly inhibited a number of CYPs (CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, and CYP2D6) in vitro. However, only CYP2C9 activity was inhibited by 4-hydroxyospemifene at clinically relevant concentrations. Induction of CYPs by ospemifene in cultured human hepatocytes was 2.4-fold or less. The in vivo studies showed that ospemifene did not have significant effects on the areas under the plasma concentration-time curves of the tested CYP substrates warfarin (CYP2C9), bupropion (CYP2B6) and omeprazole (CYP2C19), demonstrating that pretreatment with ospemifene did not alter their metabolism. Therefore, the risk that ospemifene will affect the pharmacokinetics of drugs that are substrates for CYP enzymes is low.     

Size and surface modification of amorphous silica particles determine their effects on the activity of human CYP3A4 in vitro

Because of their useful chemical and physical properties, nanomaterials are widely used around the world - for example, as additives in food and medicines - and such uses are expected to become more prevalent in the future. Therefore, collecting information about the effects of nanomaterials on metabolic enzymes is important. Here, we examined the effects of amorphous silica particles with various sizes and surface modifications on cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activity by means of two different in vitro assays. Silica nanoparticles with diameters of 30 and 70 nm (nSP30 and nSP70, respectively) tended to inhibit CYP3A4 activity in human liver microsomes (HLMs), but the inhibitory activity of both types of nanoparticles was decreased by carboxyl modification. In contrast, amine-modified nSP70 activated CYP3A4 activity. In HepG2 cells, nSP30 inhibited CYP3A4 activity more strongly than the larger silica particles did. Taken together, these results suggest that the size and surface characteristics of the silica particles determined their effects on CYP3A4 activity and that it may be possible to develop silica particles that do not have undesirable effects on metabolic enzymes by altering their size and surface characteristics.     

Metabolic Activation of Chrysene by Human Hepatic and Pulmonary Cytochrome P450 Enzymes

The metabolic activation of chrysene, a weak carcinogen found in tobacco smoke, gasoline engine exhaust, and other environmental sources was analyzed in 18 human hepatic and 11 pulmonary microsomal samples. The major metabolites formed were 3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrochrysene (chrysene-3,4-diol), chrysene-1,2-diol and to lower extents phenols. Chrysene-5,6-diol was found in trace amounts only. All human liver samples formed the proximate carcinogen chrysene-1,2-diol (1.3–5.8 pmol/mg protein/min). Comparable results were seen with pulmonary microsomes, but metabolites were formed to about 10 fold lower extents. Here the most prominent metabolite was chrysene-1,2-diol. Catalytic activities known to be associated with specific cytochrome P450s were determined and correlated with the levels of metabolites formed in each sample. The results of the correlation analysis as well as studies with the inhibitor α-naphthoflavone indicated that hepatic cytochrome P450 1A2 plays a major role in the formation of the proximate carcinogen chrysene-1,2-diol and most of the other metabolites. The formation of metabolites in human lung seems mainly to be due to cytochrome P450 1A1 activity. These results demonstrate that cytochrome-P450 1A mediated metabolic activation processes occur for chrysene in human liver and lung.     

Myrcene Hydroxylases do not Determine Enantiomeric Composition of Pheromonal Ipsdienol in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ips</Emphasis> spp.

Myrcene (7-methyl-3-methylene-1,6-octadiene) hydroxylation is likely one of the final reactions involved in the production of the Ips spp. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) aggregation pheromone components, ipsdienol (2-methyl-6-methylene-2,7-octadien-4-ol) and ipsenol (2-methyl-6-methylene-7-octen-4-ol). To gain insight into the evolution of pheromone production, we isolated a full-length cDNA from the pinyon ips, Ips confusus (LeConte), that encodes a pheromone-biosynthetic cytochrome P450, I. confusus CYP9T1 (IcCYP9T1). The recovered cDNA is 1.70 kb, and the open reading frame encodes a 532 amino acid protein. IcCYP9T1 is 94% identical to the pine engraver, Ips pini (Say), CYP9T2 ortholog that hydroxylates myrcene. Quantitative real-time PCR experiments showed that IcCYP9T1, as does CYP9T2, has an expression pattern similar to other pheromone-biosynthetic genes in I. pini. Basal expression levels were higher in males than females, and expression was significantly induced in male, but not in female, anterior midguts by feeding on host phloem. Microsomes, prepared from Sf9 cells co-expressing baculoviral-mediated recombinant IcCYP9T1 and house fly (Musca domestica) NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, converted myrcene to ~85%-(R)-(−)-ipsdienol. These results are consistent with IcCYP9T1 encoding a myrcene hydroxylase that functions near the end of the pheromone-biosynthetic pathway. Since the I. confusus pheromone blend contains >90%-(S)-(+)-ipsdienol, these results confirm further that Ips spp. myrcene hydroxylases do not control the final ipsdienol enantiomeric blend. Other enzymes are required following myrcene hydroxylation to achieve the critical quantity and enantiomeric composition of pheromonal ipsenol and ipsdienol used by different Ips spp. Sequences The IcCYP9T1 cDNA sequence has been deposited in Genbank, accession number EU915209     

The Effect of Chronic Iloperidone Treatment on Cytochrome P450 Expression and Activity in the Rat Liver: Involvement of Neuroendocrine Mechanisms

In order to achieve a desired therapeutic effect in schizophrenia patients and to maintain their mental wellbeing, pharmacological therapy needs to be continued for a long time, usually from the onset of symptoms and for the rest of the patients’ lives. The aim of our present research is to find out the in vivo effect of chronic treatment with atypical neuroleptic iloperidone on the expression and activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) in rat liver. Male Wistar rats received a once-daily intraperitoneal injection of iloperidone (1 mg/kg) for a period of two weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last dose, livers were excised to study cytochrome P450 expression (mRNA and protein) and activity, pituitaries were isolated to determine growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), and blood was collected for measuring serum concentrations of hormones and interleukin. The results showed a broad spectrum of changes in the expression and activity of liver CYP enzymes, which are important for drug metabolism (CYP1A, CYP2B, CYP2C, and CYP3A) and xenobiotic toxicity (CYP2E1). Iloperidone decreased the expression and activity of CYP1A2, CP2B1/2, CYP2C11, and CYP3A1/2 enzymes but increased that of CYP2E1. The CYP2C6 enzyme remained unchanged. At the same time, the level of GHRH, GH, and corticosterone decreased while that of T₃ increased, with no changes in IL-2 and IL-6. The presented results indicate neuroendocrine regulation of the investigated CYP enzymes during chronic iloperidone treatment and suggest a possibility of pharmacokinetic/metabolic interactions produced by the neuroleptic during prolonged combined treatment with drugs that are substrates of iloperidone-affected CYP enzymes.     

Activation of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds by cDNA-Expressed Phase I and Phase II Enzymes

A large number of human and other mammalian xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes have been expressed in target cells of standard mutagenicity tests, such as Ames's Salmonella typhimurium strains and Chinese hamster V79 cells. These recombinant cells are useful for determining the ability of individual enzymes to activate (or inactivate) a given compound. In contrast to standard S9-mediated test systems, they also allow the detection of mutagenic metabolites that do not penetrate cell membranes--a situation often found with reactive phase II metabolites. We present mutagenicity data for benzo[ a ]pyrene and dibenzo[ a,l ]pyrene in V79-derived cells expressing human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1, and for 1-hydroxymethylpyrene, R - and S -1-( f -hydroxyethyl) pyrene, 4-hydroxycyclopenta[ def ]chrysene and N -hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene in V79-derived cells and/or Salmonella strains expressing the 11 human sulfotransferases (SULTs) identified. In some cases, allelic variants and orthologous enzymes from other mammalian species were also investigated. The data indicate that mutagenicity of many compounds is detected in the appropriate recombinant systems at extremely low substrate concentrations, that the activation of various promutagens is mediated with high specificity by only one or few enzyme forms, and that substantial differences may occur between alloenzymes from the same species and orthologous enzymes from different species. Such information could be important for understanding differences in susceptibility between tissues, species, individual genetic traits, and physiological states.     

Benzo[a]pyrene-Induced Genotoxicity in Rats Is Affected by Co-Exposure to Sudan I by Altering the Expression of Biotransformation Enzymes

The environmental pollutant benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a human carcinogen that reacts with DNA after metabolic activation catalysed by cytochromes P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1B1 together with microsomal epoxide hydrolase. The azo dye Sudan I is a potent inducer of CYP1A1/2. Here, Wistar rats were either treated with single doses of BaP (150 mg/kg bw) or Sudan I (50 mg/kg bw) alone or with both compounds in combination to explore BaP-derived DNA adduct formation in vivo. Using ³²P-postlabelling, DNA adducts generated by BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide were found in livers of rats treated with BaP alone or co-exposed to Sudan I. During co-exposure to Sudan I prior to BaP treatment, BaP-DNA adduct levels increased 2.1-fold in comparison to BaP treatment alone. Similarly, hepatic microsomes isolated from rats exposed to Sudan I prior to BaP treatment were also the most effective in generating DNA adducts in vitro with the activated metabolites BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol or BaP-9-ol as intermediates. DNA adduct formation correlated with changes in the expression and/or enzyme activities of CYP1A1, 1A2 and 1B1 in hepatic microsomes. Thus, BaP genotoxicity in rats in vivo appears to be related to the enhanced expression and/or activity of hepatic CYP1A1/2 and 1B1 caused by exposure of rats to the studied compounds. Our results indicate that the industrially employed azo dye Sudan I potentiates the genotoxicity of the human carcinogen BaP, and exposure to both substances at the same time seems to be hazardous to humans.     

Cluster Screening: An Effective Approach for Probing the Substrate Space of Uncharacterized Cytochrome P450s

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) are versatile enzymes with high potential for biocatalysis. The number of newly annotated P450 genes has been increasing constantly, and these thus represent a rich resource for new biocatalysts. However, the substrate scopes of newly identified P450s are often not known, and thus their exploitation is difficult. Herein we describe an approach, named “cluster screening”, and its application for the primary characterization of two P450s: CYP154E1 and CYP154A8. A library comprising 51 compounds was designed and organized into nine groups according to their chemical properties. The activities of both P450s in vitro were maintained with suitable nonphysiological redox partners, and the cluster library was screened with these enzymes for product formation. From this library, 30 compounds tested positive for CYP154E1 and 23 were positive for CYP154A8. Cluster screening distinguishes subtle differences in activity and selectivity of enzymes as closely related as those of the same P450 family. For example, the alkaloid pergolide mesylate was converted by CYP154E1 (4 %) but not by CYP154A8. A building block of vitamin D₃, Grundmann's ketone, was converted by both enzymes, although conversion was higher with CYP154E1 (100 vs 53 %).     

Discovery of adamantyl heterocyclic ketones as potent 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitors

11β‐Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β‐HSD1) plays a key role in converting intracellular cortisone to physiologically active cortisol, which is implicated in the development of several phenotypes of metabolic syndrome. Inhibition of 11β‐HSD1 activity with selective inhibitors has beneficial effects on various conditions, including diabetes, dyslipidemia and obesity, and therefore constitutes a promising strategy to discover novel therapies for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. A series of novel adamantyl heterocyclic ketones provides potent and selective inhibitors of human 11β‐HSD1. Lead compounds display low nanomolar inhibition against human and mouse 11β‐HSD1 and are selective with no activity against 11β‐HSD2 and 17β‐HSD1. Selected potent 11β‐HSD1 inhibitors show moderate metabolic stability upon incubation with human liver microsomes and weak inhibition of human CYP450 enzymes.     

Size- and time-dependent alteration in metabolic activities of human hepatic cytochrome P450 isozymes by gold nanoparticles via microsomal coincubations

Nano-sized particles are known to interfere with drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, which can be anticipated to be a potential source of unintended adverse reactions, but the mechanisms underlying the inhibition are still not well understood. Herein we report a systematic investigation of the impacts of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on five major CYP isozymes under in vitro incubations of human liver microsomes (HLMs) with tannic acid (TA)-stabilized AuNPs in the size range of 5 to 100 nm. It is found that smaller AuNPs show more pronounced inhibitory effects on CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 in a dose-dependent manner, while 1A2 is the least susceptible to the AuNP inhibition. The size- and dose-dependent CYP-specific inhibition and the nonspecific drug-nanogold binding in the coincubation media can be significantly reduced by increasing the concentration ratio of microsomal proteins to AuNPs, probably via a noncompetitive mode. Remarkably, AuNPs are also found to exhibit a slow time-dependent inactivation of 2D6 and 3A4 in a β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide 2′-phosphate reduced tetrasodium salt hydrate (NADPH)-independent manner. During microsomal incubations, UV–vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta-potential measurements were used to monitor the changes in particle properties under the miscellaneous AuNP/HLM/CYP dispersion system. An improved stability of AuNPs by mixing HLM with the gold nanocolloid reveals that the stabilization via AuNP-HLM interactions may occur on a faster time scale than the salt-induced nanoaggregation by incubation in phosphate buffer. The results suggest that the AuNP induced CYP inhibition can be partially attributed to its adhesion onto the enzymes to alter their structural conformations or onto the HLM membrane therefore impairing the integral membrane proteins. Additionally, AuNPs likely block the substrate pocket on the CYP surface, depending on both the particle characteristics and the structural diversity of the isozymes. These findings may represent additional mechanisms for the differential inhibitory effects arising from the coincubated AuNPs on the metabolic activities of the hepatic CYP isozymes.     

Oxidation of 3-oxygenated Δ4- and Δ5-C27 steroids by soybean lipoxygenase and rat liver microsomessteroids by soybean lipoxygenase and rat liver microsomes

The formation of dioxygenated metabolites of cholesterol, epicholesterol (5-cholesten-3α-ol) 4-cholesten-3β-ol, 4-cholesten-3α-ol, 4-cholesten-3-one and 4-stigmasten-3-one was studied after incubations with soybean lipoxygenase and linoleic acid. From cholesterol and epicholesterol were formed the 7α-hydroxy-, 7α-hydroperoxy-, 7β-hydroxy-, 7β-hydroperoxy-, 7-oxo and 5,6-epoxyderivatives as well as 6β-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one. All Δ⁴-steroids were hydroxylated in the 6α- and 6β-positions. The ratios between the yields of 6β- and 6α-hydroxylated metabolites varied between 3∶1 and 2∶1. Incubations with 4-cholesten-3α-ol and 4-cholesten-3β-ol also afforded the 4,5-epoxides of these steroids. The ratios between the yields of the 4β,5β- and 4α,5α-epoxides were ca. 4∶1 for 4-cholesten 3β-ol and ca. 3∶2 for 4-cholesten-3α-ol. With iron-supplemented microsomes from rat liver, the compounds formed were qualitatively and quantitatively the same as with soybean lipoxygenase, whereas with 18,000 × g rat liver supernatant fractions the yields of all products formed—except 7α-hydroxycholesterol and 6β-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one—were markedly decreased. The results indicate the presence of a rat liver microsomal 6β-hydroxylase which can use 4-cholesten-3-one as a substrate and extend previous findings of similarities between soybean lipoxygenase and a nonspecific lipoxygenase in rat liver microsomes.     

Adamantyl ethanone pyridyl derivatives: potent and selective inhibitors of human 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1

Elevated levels of active glucocorticoids have been implicated in the development of several phenotypes of metabolic syndrome, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. 11β‐Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β‐HSD1) catalyses the intracellular conversion of inactive cortisone to cortisol. Selective 11β‐HSD1 inhibitors have shown beneficial effects in various conditions, including diabetes, dyslipidemia and obesity. A series of adamantyl ethanone pyridyl derivatives has been identified, providing potent and selective inhibitors of human 11β‐HSD1. Lead compounds display low nanomolar inhibition against human and mouse 11β‐HSD1 and are selective for this isoform, with no activity against 11β‐HSD2 and 17β‐HSD1. Structure–activity relationship studies reveal that an unsubstituted pyridine tethered to an adamantyl ethanone motif through an ether or sulfoxide linker provides a suitable pharmacophore for activity. The most potent inhibitors have IC₅₀ values around 34–48 nM against human 11β‐HSD1, display reasonable metabolic stability in human liver microsomes, and weak inhibition of key human CYP450 enzymes.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Activate the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and the Constitutive Androstane Receptor to Regulate Xenobiotic Metabolism in Human Liver Cells

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants produced by incomplete combustion of organic matter. They induce their own metabolism by upregulating xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes such as cytochrome P450 monooxygenase 1A1 (CYP1A1) by activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). However, previous studies showed that individual PAHs may also interact with the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). Here, we studied ten PAHs, different in carcinogenicity classification, for their potential to activate AHR- and CAR-dependent luciferase reporter genes in human liver cells. The majority of investigated PAHs activated AHR, while non-carcinogenic PAHs tended to activate CAR. We further characterized gene expression, protein abundancies and activities of the AHR targets CYP1A1 and 1A2, and the CAR target CYP2B6 in human HepaRG hepatoma cells. Enzyme induction patterns strongly resembled the profiles obtained at the receptor level, with AHR-activating PAHs inducing CYP1A1/1A2 and CAR-activating PAHs inducing CYP2B6. In summary, this study provides evidence that beside well-known activation of AHR, some PAHs also activate CAR, followed by subsequent expression of respective target genes. Furthermore, we found that an increased PAH ring number is associated with AHR activation as well as the induction of DNA double-strand breaks, whereas smaller PAHs activated CAR but showed no DNA-damaging potential.     

Single Heteroatom Substitutions in the Efavirenz Oxazinone Ring Impact Metabolism by CYP2B6

Previously, we observed that the oxazinone ring is important for cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) activity toward efavirenz ((4S)‐6‐chloro‐4‐(2‐cyclopropylethynyl)‐1,4‐dihydro‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐2H‐3,1‐benzoxazin‐2‐one), a CYP2B6 substrate used to treat HIV. To further understand the structural characteristics of efavirenz that render it a CYP2B6 substrate, we tested the importance of each heteroatom of the oxazinone ring. We assembled a panel of five analogues: 6‐chloro‐4‐(2‐cyclopropylethynyl)‐1,4‐dihydro‐2‐methyl‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐2H‐3,1‐benzoxazine ( 1 ), (4S)‐6‐chloro‐4‐[(1E)‐2‐cyclopropylethenyl]‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐2(1H)‐quinazolinone ( 2 ), (4S)‐6‐chloro‐4‐(2‐cyclopropylethynyl)‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐2(1H)‐quinazolinone ( 3 ), 6‐chloro‐4‐(cyclopropylethynyl)‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐2(1H)‐quinolinone ( 4 ), and 6‐chloro‐4‐(cyclopropylethynyl)‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐4H‐benzo[d][1,3]dioxin‐2‐one ( 5 ). The metabolism of compounds 1 – 5 was investigated using human liver microsomes, individual P450s, and mass spectrometry or UV/Vis absorbance detection. Steady‐state analysis of CYP2B6 metabolism of 1 – 5 showed K_M values ranging from 0.3‐ to 3.9‐fold different from that observed for efavirenz (K_M: 3.6±1.7 μm ). The lowest K_M values, approximating 1 μm , were observed for the metabolism of 1 , whereas the greatest K_M value, 14±6.4 μm , was found for 4 . Our work reveals that analogues with heteroatom changes in the oxazinone ring are still CYP2B6 substrates, although the changes in K_M suggest altered substrate binding.